Red skin coloration in pears is caused by anthocyanin accumulation, which contributes to antioxidant activity and enhances consumer preference because of its attractive appearance. However, anthocyanin levels are strongly affected by light, making it difficult to maintain stable coloration under bagging practices commonly used in Korea. In this study, we developed the first red-skinned pear cultivar in Korea, ‘Jungmojeoksaek1ho’ (Pyrus pyrifolia×(P. pyrifolia×P. communis)), and examined changes in anthocyanin content according to the timing of bagging. ‘Jungmojeoksaek1ho’ originated from a cross between ‘Manpungbae’ (P. pyrifolia) and ‘Oharabeni’ (P. pyrifolia×P. communis) in 2003 and was registered as a new cultivar in 2025 (Registration No. 10597). The trees were vigorous, with a spreading growth habit. The mean fruit weight was 291.5 g, lower than that of the control cultivar ‘Wonhwang’ (P. pyrifolia), with soluble solids content of 12.8° Brix and titratable acidity of 0.31%. Anthocyanin content analysis of the peel revealed that ‘Jungmojeoksaek1ho’ maintained high levels until 80 days after full bloom (DAFB), followed by a sharp decline. Bagging at 60 or 80 DAFB reduced anthocyanin accumulation, whereas bagging after 100 DAFB maintained relatively high levels in the later stages. These results suggested that bagging after 100 DAFB was optimal for achieving stable red coloration (Registration No. 10597).

Here, we report on the development of a high-quality, bicolor waxy corn, ‘Mihyeonchal’, containing anthocyanin. ‘Mihyeonchal’ was produced by crossing the two inbred lines, HW18 as the seed parent and HW19 as the pollen parent. The hybrid was made in 2016 and has been evaluated for three years in Hongcheon, Yeoncheon, Cheongju, Daegu, Jinju, and Suwon in Korea since 2017. The days to silking of ‘Mihyeonchal’ was 72 days, which was three days earlier than that of the standard variety, ‘Ilmichal’. The number and weight of fresh ears of ‘Mihyeonchal’ were 112% and 96%, respectively, compared to those of ‘Ilmichal’, and the anthocyanin content was 76.8 mg/kg, which was higher than that of ‘Ilmichal’. The lodging index was 1.9, which was weaker than that of ‘Ilmichal’, but its resistance to insects and diseases was stronger than that of ‘Ilmichal’, confirming the cultivation stability of ‘Mihyeonchal’. As a result of regional yield trials that had been conducted for three years, we confirmed that ‘Mihyeonchal’ could be cultivated in all regions in Korea and was an excellence variety. The plant variety protection right of ‘Mihyeonchal’ was registered in April 2024, and its grant number is 10127.

We report the development of a high quality red waxy corn ‘Mihongchal’, containing anthocyanin. Mihongchal was produced by crossing two inbred lines, ‘HW9’ as seed parent and ‘HCW5’ as pollen parent. The hybrid was created in 2016 and evaluated in Hongcheon, Pyungchang, and Yeongwol for 3 years. Mihongchal days to silking was 72 days and the other agronomic characteristics were similar to ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Mihongchal yield was slightly lower than ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Fresh ears number and weight were 93 and 91% compared to ‘Mibaek 2ho’, respectively but anthocyanin content was 1,160 mg/kg, which is higher than ‘Mibake 2ho’. Resistance to insects, diseases, and lodging was similar to ‘Mibaek 2ho’. Due to the analysis, it was recognized as functional waxy corn with high quality characteristics and anthocyanin content. Since regional yield tests was performed in only Gangwon State, it is recommended only in that region for cultivation. Mihongchal is a resource with excellent taste and functionality that can increase the value of waxy corn. The chosen variety was termed ‘Mihongchal’, its plant variety protection right was registered in February 2023 (Registration No. 9354).

‘Heukchan’ (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a medium-sized grain and black-skin peanut variety that was developed at the Department of Southern Area Crop Science, National Institute of Crop Science in 2019. ‘Heukchan’ was developed from a single cross between black-skin accession ‘Heukhwasaeng’ and Virginia-type elite line ‘HP825’. ‘Heukchan’ has short ellipse-shaped grains and a dark-purple seed coat. It also has a shorter main stem and branch length (39 cm and 44 cm, respectively) than those of ‘Daekwang’ (50 cm and 61 cm, respectively) which resulted in higher tolerance to lodging. On average, the number of matured pods per plant of ‘Heukchan’ was 61 and its shelling ratio was 74%. The 100-seed weight of ‘Heukchan’ was 64 g which was lower than that of ‘Daekwang’ (85 g). In the regional adaptation test (from 2017 to 2019), the average grain yield of ‘Heukchan’ was 4.56 tons⋅ha^-1 showing a 5% higher yield than ‘Daekwang’. The seed coat of ‘Heukchan’ contains two types of anthocyanins, cyanidin 3-sophoroside and cyanidin 3-sambubioside, which are not found in ‘Daekwang’. We analyzed the chemical properties of cooked rice containing ‘Heukchan’ with an increasing substitution ratio (5, 10, 20, and 40%); minerals and antioxidative activity as well as protein and unsaturated fatty acids were found to be significantly increased in the rice mixed with ‘Heukchan’. This new variety highlights the novel use of black-skin peanuts for mixing with rice to enhance nutrition and functionality (Registration No. 9195).

A new anthocyanin-rich hybrid variety, ‘Saekso 1’, is developed which is characterized by yellow grains, and purple husks and cobs. This variety was produced by crossing two inbred lines, ‘HA1’ (as the seed parent) and ‘HA2’ (as the pollen parent). It was made in 2008/2009 and evaluated in Hongcheon for two years. After evaluation, the selected variety was named ‘Saekso 1’ and was approved for a variety registration in 2014. The anthocyanin content of ‘Saekso 1’ in husk was 10.39±0.09 g/100 g, which was much higher than that of Kangilok (0 mg/100 g). Since regional tests were conducted only in Gangwon province, this variety is recommended only in that region for commercial cultivation. ‘Saekso 1’ is a health food resource for bioactive materials (Registration No. 4967).

Plants grown under stress conditions generate excessive reactive oxygen species resulting in cell death. Therefore, plants activate the protection mechanism via antioxidant accumulation. Anthocyanins are flavonoid-derived secondary metabolites with high antioxidant properties. In this study, we analyzed and characterized the promoter region of RsMYB1, a positive regulator of anthocyanin biosynthesis. The RsMYB1 promoter was designed with four different fragment lengths (MP1, -1034; MP2, -830; MP3, -633; and MP4, -430 bp), and then each RsMYB1 promoter region was fused into a GUS gene for Arabidopsis transformation. The expression patterns of the RsMYB1 promoter constructs were analyzed at different developmental stages and under various abiotic stresses. The GUS expression pattern steadily increased with plant growth, and coincided with enzyme activity and a histochemical GUS assay. In response to drought, salt, sucrose, and low temperature, the GUS transcript level was highly expressed in MP4 in parallel with GUS enzyme activity. These assays indicated that the proximal region (-430 to -1 bp) of RsMYB1 was the core sequence that was induced by salt and low temperature. The expression level of RsMYB1 in the leaves of radish was highly activated and was consistent with the anthocyanin content under salt and low temperature conditions. These results suggest that induction of the RsMYB1 gene can activate the biosynthesis of anthocyanins, which are expected to help plants adapt to stress conditions due to their antioxidant activity.

The bulb onion (Allium cepa L.), one of the most important vegetables worldwide, contains various functional compounds such as quercetin, allicin, and flavonoids. Red onions are rich in anthocyanins, a flavonoid that is a functional phytochemical with antioxidative and anticancer activities. In the previous study, two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) (qAC4.1 and qAC4.2) controlling the anthocyanin content were identified on chromosome 4 in an F₂ population derived from a cross between A. cepa ‘SP3B’ and ‘H6’. In this study, we developed single nucleotide polymorphism-based high-resolution melting (HRM) markers linked to QTLs qAC4.1 and qAC4.2. In addition, we constructed a new genetic linkage map of chromosome 4 using HRM markers and performed a QTL analysis. The QTL qAC4.1 was false, while qAC4.2 was a major QTL. The QTL peak position, logarithm of the odds value, and phenotypic variance explained of qAC4.2 was 53.6 cM, 7.45, and 22.51%, respectively. Four HRM markers (AC4.2_65336.1_1123-HRM, AC4.2_53230.3_454-HRM, AC4.2_11999.1_756-HRM, and AC4.2_14596.1_345-HRM) within the QTL region of qAC4.2 were developed in this study. The average anthocyanin content of B (homozygous paternal) genotypes was higher than that of A (homozygous maternal) and H (heterozygous) genotypes for all markers. Consequently, these markers will be useful for marker-assisted selection to develop onion cultivars with high anthocyanin content.

In ornamental crops, the color and shape of flowers are one of the important traits. Generally, flower colors are determined by accumulating pigments such as carotenoids, flavonoids, and betalains. Among them, flavonoids are responsible for broad ranges of colors. Chrysanthemums are one of the most popular ornamental crops in the world, and there have been many efforts to change their flower color. In chrysanthemum flowers, cyanidin-based anthocyanin confers pink or red color, whereas terpenoid-based carotenoids are mainly responsible for yellow and green colors. However, blue colored chrysanthemums do not occur in nature. To date, there have been attempts to obtain blue or violet-colored chrysanthemum flowers through the introduction of a novel gene for accumulating delphinidin-based anthocyanins, while other studies have reported changing endogenous metabolites through the reconstruction of flavonoid biosynthesis. Since various transcription factors are involved in the regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis, it is important to understand not only the structural genes, but also the transcription factors required for the modification of flavonoid-based flower color. Therefore, in this paper, we describe the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway and its regulation, and review previous studies on the change in flower color through modification of flavonoid biosynthesis. This effort could be an important milestone in successfully achieving the modification of chrysanthemum flower color by means of plant biotechnology.

Consumer interest in nutrition and health has increased, for other food and industrial applications, including for barley. ‘Huknuri’ is a new naked non-waxy barley cultivar with black lemma. It was developed by the National Institute of Crop Science, RDA, in 2011. The initial cross was carried out in 2002, and an elite line (HB16225-B-B-9) was selected in 2006. Since then, through preliminary yield and advanced yield trials, it was designated as ‘Iksan 100’. It showed good agronomic performance in the regional yield trials from 2009 to 2011 and was released as ‘Huknuri’, possessing high anthocyanin content and black lemma with a non-waxy endosperm. The average heading and maturing dates of ‘Huknuri’ were April 23 and May 29 in paddy fields, which were one day earlier and the same as those of the check cultivar ‘Saessalbori’, respectively. It had a culm and spike length of 87 and 5.0 cm, respectively. It showed 601 spikes per m², 61 grains per spike, 29.0 g of 1,000-grain weight, and 780 g of test weight. ‘Huknuri’ showed better resistance to Barley yellow mosaic virus and higher water absorption and expansion rates than those of the check cultivar. Its average pearled grain yield in the regional yield trial was 3.44 MT/ha in upland, and 3.56 MT/ha in paddy fields, which were 5% lower and 1% higher than those of the check cultivar, respectively. The anthocyanin content was 180 µg/g, which was higher than that of the check cultivar.

An interspecific cross between P. citriodora and P. hirtella constitutes ideal material for a linkage map construction in genome project of Perilla. The chromosomes of the species are same with n=10 and progenies of the cross are normal in growth and seed set. The phenotype of F2 population of the cross are normally distributed and this is a proof of high affinity of the chromosomes during their sexual reproduction. Rosmarinic acid, Luteolin and Apigenin contents of F2 plants were distributed in similar range with tetraploid perilla cultivars. Luteolin and Apigenin are positively correlated with correlation coefficient of 0.762. 21 QTLs were detected in agronomic traits and Rosmarinic acid, Luteolin and Apigenin contents. Even though Luteolin and Apigenin are positively correlated, QTLs were located in different position. Purple leaf color related QTL was mapped in Chromosome 3 with LOD of 14.3, PVE of 50.4%. Three anthocyanin biosynthesis transcription factor like sequences, WD40 repeat-like superfamily protein, myb domain protein 43 and basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) DNA-binding superfamily protein, were detected near from the QTL.

We report the development of new anthocyanin-rich grain corn hybrid variety ‘Saekso 2’. The seed parent, HA3 and the pollen parent, HA4 was developed from breeding materials collected from China in 2008 and from Canada in 2000, respectively. The hybrid was made in the winter of 2010/2011 and evaluated in Hongcheon for 3 years. After evaluation, the selected variety was named ‘Saekso 2’ and was approved for a variety registration in 2017. Anthocyanin content of Saekso 2 in grain was 685 mg/100g and was much higher than that of Saeko 1(0mg/100g). Since regional tests was conducted in only Gangwon province, it is recommended only in that region for commercial cultivation. For the highest content of anthocyanin, it is best to harvest grains at around 45 days after silking. Saekso 2 is the first hybrid bred specifically for processing for high anthocyanin production.

‘Neugeunsuperjami’, a late maturing and blackish purple pigmented rice cultivar, was developed from a cross between Gumjeongbyeo and Hwaseonchalbyeo. During selected by pedigree breeding method until F⁸ generation, a promising line, SR28757-22-2-4-2-1-1-2-B, was selected and advanced by late maturing and content of Cyanidin 3-glucoside. Advance line designated as the name of ‘KNOU 13’. This variety headed on August 28, 140 days to heading after sowing. The culm length and the panicle length of ‘Neugeunsuperjami’ was 91.0 cm and 20.0 cm, respectively. The number of panicle per hill was 10.5 and the number of grain per panicle was 88.6. The dehulling recovery of ‘Neugeunsuperjami’ was about 80.5% and 1,000-grain weight was about 19.7 g, heavier than that of ‘Heugjinju’. ‘Neugeunsuperjami’ has 3~5 times higher Cyanidin-3-glucoside(C3G) content compared with ‘Heugjinju’.

This study was carried out to create new waxy corn variety using anthocyanins germplasm including 13 ornamental maize stocks, purple corn and two parental lines of Mibaek2. First, we made anthocyanin husk population for sustainable breeding from 13 ornamental stocks for 6 years from 2001 and then crossed purple corn with a dark purple kernel in 2007. We crossed this hybrid with two parental lines of Mibaek2, a good edible quality waxy corn, in 2007/2008 dry season nursery for additional breeding in Thailand. The anthocyanin-rich waxy lines derived from these hybrids were self-fertilized seven times and made single cross hybrids until 2011. These hybrids were evaluated on 2 or 3 places in Gangwon-do for next two years. One selected elite hybrid was named Cheongchunchal and applied for registration of new waxy corn variety in March 2014. Total anthocyanins content is zero in Mibaek2, 737 in Miheugchal, 18,809 mg/kg in Cheongchunchal. This variety is meaningful as health food and high-value industrial material.

‘Superjami 2’, a new blackish purple pigmented rice cultivar was derived from a cross between CG2-3-5-1-6-1 (Heugjinju/Suwon 425) having a high cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) contents and ‘Daeribbyeo 1’ having a large grain size. During selected by pedigree breeding method until F10 generation, a promising line, SR28721-7-5-2-1-2-1, was advanced and designated as the name of ‘KNOU 6’. This variety headed on Aug. 30, so 125 days to heading after sowing and has 106 cm culm length. The panicle length of ‘Superjami 2’ was 20.4 cm. The number of panicle per hill was 8.5 ea, and the number of grain per panicles was 143.0 ea. The ratio of fertility of ‘Superjami 2’ was about 82.0% and 1,000-grain weight was about 30.1 g. The 1,000 grain weight of ‘Superjami 2’ (30.1 g) was heavier than that of ‘Heugjinju’. Also, ‘Superjami 2’ has 9 times higher C3G content compared with ‘Heugjinju’.